I found that most of the equipment piled in our boat was better kept in my garage until the time came to use it. Like the oil changing kit, the spinniker, the extra large pack of spare life jackets, the extra parts to the bimini, the big bag of spare hoses, etc. We are coastal cruisers so don't need to take everything with us all the time.

This also makes it easier to get at the emergency equipment at the bottom of the sail locker when you really need it. Like the emergency tiller.